CRANFORD, NJ – A late-night traffic stop for a broken tail light turned into a dramatic arrest Monday when police discovered a loaded handgun, narcotics, and erratic behavior from the driver, authorities said.
Shortly before 11 p.m., officers pulled over a 2014 BMW on North Avenue near Orchard Street after noticing the vehicle’s rear light was out. During the stop, Officer Jack Korzeneski and Officer Liam Duffy found the driver, 37-year-old Victor Lopez of Newark, in possession of a loaded semi-automatic Taurus 9mm handgun, hollow-nose bullets, and a quantity of heroin.
Lopez was taken into custody without incident, but the situation quickly escalated once he was transported to police headquarters. According to officials, Lopez became combative, exposed himself, and urinated on police property while in custody.
Authorities say Lopez now faces multiple charges, including possession of a firearm, possession of large-capacity magazines, possession of narcotics, lewdness, and criminal mischief.
Police say driver’s behavior “crossed the line”
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Following the arrest, Lopez was committed to the Union County Jail pending a detention hearing. Police noted that while the initial stop was routine, the discovery of the loaded weapon and the driver’s later conduct underscored the unpredictable nature of traffic enforcement.
- Police recovered a loaded 9mm handgun, hollow-nose bullets, and heroin
- Victor Lopez, 37, of Newark was arrested during a routine traffic stop
- Lopez allegedly became combative and urinated on police property after arrest
Authorities did not report any injuries during the incident. The investigation remains ongoing.
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